Headlines — January 19, 2022

Headlines Jan. 19, 2022

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Hospitals Begin Rationing Care 

Some hospitals in Colorado are rationing health care as cases of COVID-19 continue to surge in the state. The Colorado chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians wrote to Gov. Jared Polis last week saying that doctors must decide which patients will receive a hospital bed, and who they will send home even though they are sick enough to be admitted under normal circumstances. Colorado has never before activated hospital care-rationing standards.

Free Masks And COVID Tests 

Colorado legislators announced Tuesday that it will provide free KN95 and surgical grade masks to Colorado residents. Starting tomorrow, people will be able to get up to five masks per month at public libraries, fire stations, rec centers and YMCAs.

The United States Post Office will also begin delivering up to four free COVID-19 tests per person to those who sign up on the USPS website.

Court Order Limits King Soopers Workers To 10 Outside Stores 

A judge approved a temporary order against King Soopers’ employees who are on strike for a second week. The order limits the number of strikers allowed in front of the grocery store to 10 and prohibits union members from intimidating or blocking customer entry.

President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 Union, Kim Cordova, told The Denver Post that the Kroger-owned grocery giant has no base for its allegations and took action to quiet strikers.

After two weeks of strikes, negotiations have produced no agreements between the supermarket chain and its more than 8,000 local employees. Workers say they deserve increased wages, enhanced safety measures, and more humane working conditions.

On Saturday, contracts in Pueblo and Grand Junction between workers and Kroger, which also owns City Market, will expire. The union has not said whether workers in those stores will strike, as they will first have to vote on the issue.

Republicans In State House Vote To Thank Jan. 6 Protesters

Many Republicans in the state legislature voted Tuesday in favor of thanking those who joined the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last year. Two-thirds of the Colorado house GOP members gave thumbs-up to the resolution thanking Colorado Rep. Ron Hanks for his participation. Hanks is a Republican from Freemont County. A majority of Colorado GOP house members also voted to decertify the 2020 presidential election.

The Denver Post reports Colorado Republicans offered the measures to amend a resolution brought by Democrats which urges Congress to pass voting rights legislation. Democrats control the House and easily defeated the Republican amendments.

Secretary Of State Sues Mesa County Clerk 

Colorado Secretary of State Gena Griswold sued the Mesa County Clerk and recorder, Tina Peters, to stop her from overseeing this year’s election. Peters is also under investigation for allegedly allowing a security breach in her elections office.

The Secretary of State’s lawsuit requires Peters, an election denier and embattled Republican clerk, to correct false statements she made about voting machines, and relinquish her authority to oversee elections.

The Denver Post reports Peters refused and announced her intention to run for reelection. A judge previously barred Peters from involvement in last year’s election after the Secretary of State took legal action against Peters.

On Tuesday, a majority of Colorado House Republicans voted to support Peters.

Colorado Attorney Subpoenaed By Jan. 6 Committee

The U.S. Congressional Committee investigating the Jan 6 insurrection has subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani and others to testify, including Colorado attorney Jenna Ellis. According to The Colorado Sun, Ellis propagated former President Donald Trump’s “big lie,” while working on the legal team that filed lawsuits alleging widespread voter fraud during the 2020 election.

Record Number Of Guns Seized At DIA

Denver International Airport was sixth in the country for the number of firearms seized last year. The Transportation Security Administration announced they found 141 firearms in carry-on baggage in 2021, which sets a record said a news release Tuesday. Travelers may face criminal charges and civil penalties for attempting to bring firearms through TSA.

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